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Mason's layup helps Hornets end four-game slide

Dec 23, 2006 - 8:14 AM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) -- Desmond Mason refused to let the Memphis Grizzlies stumble into a win.

Mason, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds, converted the decisive layup with 25 seconds left in overtime as the New Orleans Hornets ended a four-game losing streak with a 100-97 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Marc Jackson had season highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds and Chris Paul added 15 and 14 assists for the Hornets, who snapped a three-game losing streak to the Grizzlies.

With less than a minute to go in the extra session, Hornets guard Damon Stoudamire prevented a backcourt violation by getting the ball to Mike Miller, whose pass just got to rookie Alexander Johnson. Despite shaky ball-handling skills, Johnson made it to the basket and scored on a banker with 44 seconds remaining for a 97-96 edge.

But Mason responded 19 seconds later, giving the lead back to the Hornets. After a turnover by Chucky Atkins, Jannero Pargo sank a pair of foul shots with 6.6 ticks left before Stoudamire missed a 3-pointer as time expired. Pargo finished with 17 points.

Miller collected 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Memphis, which fell to 2-14 on the road. Pau Gasol, who missed the first 22 games of the season due to a broken foot, did not play in overtime due to precautionary reasons. He finished with a season-high 26 points.

Paul appeared to seal it in regulation when he received the ball from Jackson, weaved through the Grizzlies' defense and executed a nice crossover dribble between his legs against Stoudamire before making a jumper for a 90-88 edge with 6.2 seconds left.

But Gasol responded on the ensuing possession, converting a lefthanded layup with just nine-tenths of a second left.

The Hornets dominated the glass, 57-37, as Tyson Chandler pulled down 17 rebounds.